Nat Sciver-Brunt lauds 'stunning' opening partnership as England beat West Indies to take 1-0 lead in ODI series
Updated 31/05/2025 at 12:06 GMT+1
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England made the ideal start to their ODI series against West Indies with a convincing victory in Derby. Their first 50-over match under new head coach Charlotte Edwards went according to plan, in large part thanks to a remarkable opening partnership between centurions Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was effusive in her praise of both players.
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Nat Sciver-Brunt heaped praise on a "stunning" opening batting partnership as England beat West Indies by 108 runs in the first match of their ODI series.
It was the perfect start for new head coach Charlotte Edwards, who took charge of her first ODI since replacing Jon Lewis.
And a record 222-run opening partnership between Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont put England in a commanding position from the off at the County Ground.
"The team did brilliantly," captain Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. "The [opening partnership] was stunning, they read conditions well, played brilliantly, accelerated really well in the middle overs and set us up for a great score.
"With the change of leadership and coach [I'm most proud of] settling in as quickly as we have and really committing to the things we wanted to do: huge partnerships, top batters in towards the end of the innings."
Jones top scored with a superb 122 from 121 balls, her first ODI century, as England put up a score of 345-6 from their 50 overs.
And the 31-year-old praised coach Edwards' decision to move her up the batting order.
"It's pretty special. I've played a fair few games now without one so to tick that off is a brilliant feeling," Jones said.
"I was so excited when Lottie [Edwards] first had that thought and shared with me that opening could be an option.
"I've obviously done it in the past - while Lottie was in the team, in fact - and so it has come full circle. To have her backing and have that partnership with Tammy, it means a lot."
Beaumont hit 107 for the 11th century of her career, while Sciver-Brunt contributed with a half-century.
Linsey Smith took the headlines with the ball for England, taking a five-wicket haul on her ODI debut.
Fellow newcomer Emily Arlott took two wickets as West Indies were bowled out for 237 from 48.2 overs, with Qiana Joseph (62) and Hayley Matthews (48) leading their reply.
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On her maiden five-for, Smith said: "It's pretty surreal. Today feels like a bit of a blur but I guess initial feelings are pretty over the moon.
"One, to make my debut. Two, to put in a performance and help the team win, so I'm pretty proud of myself right now. But there's another game coming up quickly and we want to win the series as well.
"I've been reminded quite a few times today how many days in between debuts I've had, but I just feel quite proud of myself because it's a dream that I didn't want to give up on.
"I know for quite a while I only played T20 and I knew deep down within me that I wanted to play every format and really push my case for that.
"I started off with Hampshire this year, putting in some good performances and then to carry that into this series to get the win is a good feeling."
England play West Indies in the second ODI of the three-match series in Leicester on Wednesday.
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